Embroidery projects

I have been having a lovely time making pompom garlands and felt heart decorations recently, so I have neglected my embroidered pictures for a little while. However, as we have had a break from wedding planning this weekend I have been able to steam ahead with three new designs that I can't wait to get started on.

I used to draw my designs straight onto the calico, but it was very difficult when I made a mistake to rub off the pencil and not make the surface of the fabric bobbly. As a result I have decided to draw everything out on paper first then trace it on to the calico. This enables me to perfect the design before going over it with a fine-liner and tracing it on to my fabric.

I taped my paper to a window and then positioned the fabric over the top so it was easy to see the design for tracing. As my designs are now all committed to paper as well, I will be able to save them for future projects in case one proves to be particularly popular and I can do multiple copies.

Once I had traced my designs I then picked my threads ready to make a start. I've got lots to keep me going for a while here and I shall keep you updated with their progress!

Bunting Projects

I have been working on a few bits of bunting recently, including refreshing an old design. I originally completed this red and white design with a red organza ribbon to add a different material, however the see-through nature of it didn't work with the zigzag stitch I used to hold it in place and it cheapened the look of the bunting. To fixed it I unpicked it all and then reattached the flags to my usual style of bias binding in red, which looked much better! I will now be confident to put this out for sale looking as good as it can.

My next two pieces unusually are two of the same design. I don't usually make two the same of anything (as it's hand made can any two pieces ever be the same?!) but I loved the sewing print of the fabric and I'm hoping that any crafty individuals that pass the stall may also be attracted to it. 

I used a forest green bias binding to attach my flags to compliment the lovely deep green in the pattern of the fabric.

Pressing the bias binding and deciding on an order for the patterned flags.

Over Christmas I put together a spreadsheet to note down all of my measurements, costs and details for all of the items that I have made so far. It has come in very useful so far however I always think of things that need to be added so it is a constant work in progress!

Unfortunately I don't have any thread to match my lovely forest green so pinning was as far as I was able to get this weekend. I shall look forward to finishing this set of bunting next weekend!